Cougs end up using final scholarship, after all

Word on the street had been that the WSU basketball team would probably not use its final scholarship that came open when a pair of players decided to transfer.

That's no longer the case.

The Cougs today signed Stephen Sauls, who had been enrolled at the Air Force prep school. When he decided the Air Force wasn't for him, Bennett jumped on the opportunity to sign the 6-foot-3, 195-pound combo guard.

"Stephen will provide needed depth to the backcourt with the departure of Mac (Hopson) and Chris (Matthews)," Bennett said. "He addresses a need for out team with his playmaking ability and defensive mindset. Hopefully, his year at the Air Force Prep Academy has prepared him for the rigors of being a successful student-athlete. Once he met our players and saw the campus, he knew Washington State was the place for him."

Apparently, Sauls -- a Texas native who graduated from high school in 2006 -- determined the rigidity of Air Force life was just too much to handle.

"Waking up at 5:45 every day, putting on the uniform, having to march to breakfast when I wasn't even hungry half the time," Sauls said. "It was too much structure for me. ... I didn't have a choice to be myself, and I didn't like that."

I know I never got up for a class before 10 a.m., so he shouldn't have any problem there. Here's scout.com's bio:

The fast 6-foot-3, 185-pound combo guard from Fort Bend Marshall - the number 48 ranked (TexasHoops.com) player in the state - pulled the trigger on a commitment to the Air Force Academy after an official visit. After enrolling at the Air Force's prep school, decided to open his recruitment back up, culminating in his signing with Washington State. Will enroll at WSU in May or June of 2007.